Before you register for the internship course in your major or program, complete the Internship Pre-Registration Worksheet. When complete, this worksheet includes all the information you will need to register using the Internship Registration Form.

Internship Basics

An internship is structured work experience that combines academic learning and career exploration directly related to your major field of study. You should be provided the opportunity to explore and apply academic theory in a professional work environment.

Internships bridge the academic world and the professional world, allowing you to apply concepts learned in the classroom to the world of work. Internships also provide a networking base, give you the opportunity to improve and learn new skills, and allow you to explore a variety of career options.

Internship requirements vary by department, so be sure to understand those specific requirements. If your major requires an internship, or offers you to take an internship as an elective, that is considered an internship for academic credit. This means you will complete university assignments, have your site supervisor complete an evaluation, be given a grade, and the internship will appear on your transcript. Students obtaining an internship for academic credit pay regular tuition for the appropriate number of credits.

Completing multiple internships will give you several advantages. Not only will you improve your employability following graduation, but you will also expand your network and increase your professional skills. At minimum, you should plan to complete one internship during your college career. Ideally, you will complete one internship during your junior year and another during your senior year. Internship requirements vary by department, so be sure to understand those specific requirements.

What is required to obtain credit for an internship?
Internship requirements vary by department, so be sure to understand those specific requirements. If your major requires an internship, or offers you to complete an internship as an elective, that is considered an internship for academic credit. This means you will complete university assignments, have your site supervisor complete an evaluation, be given a grade, and the internship will appear on your transcript. Students obtaining an internship for academic credit pay regular tuition for the appropriate number of credits.

For each one (1) internship credit, majors require 35 hours of work. For example, if you plan to earn 8 internship credits, then you would need to work a total of 280 hours within that term/semester (this averages out to approximately 19 hours of work per week for 15 weeks).

Check with your academic advisor to register for the correct internship course and determine the number of credits.

Internships for academic credit at healthcare facilities require significant additional paperwork which is coordinated through Jacquelyn Magnuson (magnuson@csp.edu) in the College of Health and Science. Students interested in a healthcare facility as their internship site should be planning 3-6 months in advance to allow for the coordination involved in getting approvals. If this pertains to you, please coordinate with Jacquelyn and your Faculty.

How many internship hours are required per credit?
Below is a breakdown of academic credits and internship hours needed. Work with your academic advisor to determine how many credits are needed for your program.

Internship Search Resources

How do I find an internship?
Start your search in advance as many organizations post their internship positions 6-9 months in advance. After you have identified the type of internship position you would like obtain, update your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile. If you aren’t sure what type of internship you are interested in, reach out to Career Services and schedule a career advising appointment.

When you are ready to start searching, we recommend the following resources:

Can I find an internship at a job and internship fair?
Yes! CSP Career Services participates in various job and internship fairs throughout the year. Please visit Career Services “Upcoming Events” webpage for more information.

How can CSP Career Services help?
You can work with Career Services to create a resume and cover letter, find resources for opportunities, establish your LinkedIn profile, and practice interviewing. To schedule an appointment (in person or phone) with Career Services, please call 651-603-6245 or email careerservices@csp.edu.

To register for your internship credit, there is a handful of information you will need to know about your internship site, including contact information and learning objectives. We recommend you complete the Internship Pre-Registration Worksheet to gather all information needed prior to registering online.

When you are ready to register, follow these steps:

Complete the online registration form https://registrar.csp.edu/internship-registration-form/

This form will be sent automatically to your program chair or university supervisor for approval.

You will receive an email from the registrar to notify you when you are officially registered for the internship course. If you do not receive an email, please communicate with your university supervisor immediately.

After registration, look for your XXX498 Internship course in Blackboard two weeks prior to the start of the term for requirements and assignments to complete in order to pass your internship credits.

Deadline to register: The last day to register for an internship course within a given term is the same as the DROP deadline for that internship course.

Before you register, you must know how many hours you will complete throughout the semester, and the average number of hours you will work per week.